Venezuelan candidate Capriles to challenge Chavez in prez polls

Caracas, June 11 (ANI): Venezuelan politician Henrique Capriles has registered himself as presidential candidate for a coalition of more than 30 opposition parties in polls due in October.

After leading a march through the streets of national capital Caracas, Capriles vowed to fight crime and root out corruption, The BBC reports.

Capriles, who last week stepped down as the Governor of Miranda state to run for president, criticised the left-wing policies of Chavez.

"I am not the enemy of anyone, I am the enemy of the problems, of the violence, I am the enemy of a country whose government prevents us from going forward," Capriles said.

He promised to follow the example of former Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, offering a balance of social programmes and pro-business policies.

"I aspire to become the president of all Venezuelans. I won't let them down," Capriles said.

President Hugo Chavez, who is recovering from cancer, and will be contesting the presidential elections for the third time, is due to file his nomination for the poll today.

On Saturday Chavez, 57, said recent tests had shown he was now healthy and fit to run for another six-year term.

He vowed to attend the Electoral Office in person, dismissing rumours that he would register online and avoid public appearance. (ANI)